# NTSB LAX92LA191: Beech V35B, N14WK, Hesperia, CA, April 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 1992, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.359249, -117.319587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3592&lon=-117.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA191

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT DELAYED IN CORRECTING FOR THIS CONDITION AND LANDED HARD. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO SKID TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDE WITH THE VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N14WK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH V35B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D9633
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA10 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nottingham, Gerald
- Registered owner: Nottingham, Gerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1991, 15 hours before
- Departed: SUN VALLEY, AZ
- Airport: L26, Herperia, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 531 total, 160 in this make and model, 510 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920426011549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920426011549A), Apr 26, 1992: Beech V35B, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Unchecked high sink rate on short final resulted in hard impact on runway threshold. Collapsed right main. Hit sign

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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